Picture Frame System

ABSTRACT

A picture frame system including one or more frames. Each frame is generally rectangular and rigid and can be molded from a polystyrene based plastic or similar material. Each frame is arranged for use with a standard-sized photographic print. The one or more frame includes a front wall with an opening to expose the photographic print and has planar side walls along the periphery of the front wall and extending rearward from the front wall. Recesses obscured by the front wall are provided in the side walls for receiving a connection means for securing adjacent frames together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to co-pending, South African PatentApplication No. 2007/05604, entitled “Picture Frame System,” filed onJul. 9, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

A picture frame assembly is a collection of two or more framed picturesjoined together in a composite group either for mounting purposes or foraesthetic appearance. A variable picture frame assembly is a type ofpicture frame assembly in which the number of frames in the assemblyand/or the positioning of the different frames within the assemblyrelative to each other can be easily varied. Variable picture frameassemblies are well known in the art.

Generally speaking, in most prior art variable picture frame assemblies,either the individual frames or the connecting elements containstructural details which render their fabrication costly. Also, theindividual frames are connected in ways that are not entirelysatisfactory from a mechanical standpoint and that tend to detract fromthe overall appearance of the assembly. Consequently, variable pictureframe assemblies have not thus far met with much commercial success.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pictureframe system including: one or more frames provided with one or morerearward facing directed recesses having a laterally directed opening,which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame, saidrecesses configured for receiving an connection means, and saidlaterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of therecess remote the lateral opening; and one or more connection meanssized complimentarily to one or more of the recesses and which cooperatewith the recesses to secure adjacent frames together.

The one or more recess may include a fish tail portion remote thelaterally directed opening.

Typically, no more than two recesses are provided along any edge of asingle frame. However, larger frames may require more than two recesseson any edge thereof.

The connection means may include a hanging portion having an aperturefor receiving a hook, a screw or a nail. Alternatively, the connectionmeans may be attached with an adhesive for securing the frame to whichthe connection means has been attached to a wall or the like.

The connection means may include a pair of opposed nearly identical endportions for engaging with recesses of adjacent frames.

The connection means may include a bridge portion extending between theend portions, the length of the bridge portion is selected so thatadjacent frames are secured contiguously.

The bridge portion may include an inflection point about which the endportions are angled relative to each other.

The angle of inflection may be selected such that adjacent frames aresecured in such a manner that the secured frames are self supporting ona surface on which they are positioned.

The depth of the recesses is typically about half the thickness of theframe portion into which the recess is made. However, the picture framesystem is not so limited.

The thickness of the connection means is about the same as the depth ofthe recesses into which it is to be inserted. However, the picture framesystem is not so limited.

The invention thus provides a picture frame system in which individualframes and connecting means for joining the frames together may beeasily fabricated.

The invention further provides a system where adjacent frames can beconnected either in a planar relationship or an angular relationship,contiguously or spaced apart as may be desired.

The picture frame system permits the individual frames to be positionedrelative to each other in a wide variety of arrangements.

Thus, using the invention, picture frames may be connected insubstantially abutting relationship.

The connecting means for joining together adjacent frames may beinvisible from the front.

The system is especially suited for making arrays of standard sizedphotographic prints or snapshots.

However, the system may be utilized for any size photograph or image inaccordance with the frame dimensions.

The invention extends to a kit, said kit including disassembledcomponent parts of a picture frame system such as that described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a clipfor use in connecting two adjacent picture frames so as to form apicture frame assembly, said clip including a pair of fish tail like endportions and a bridge portion selected to determine the spacing of theadjacent frames.

The present invention includes individual picture frames which aredesigned to be displayed either singly or in groups of two or more, thepicture frames include a front wall having an opening therein to exposea picture mounted in the frame and a plurality of side walls on thefront wall along the periphery thereof and extending rearward therefrom,a plurality of rearward facing recesses being provided in the side wallsfor receiving complementary connection means for securing adjacentframes in planar or angular relationship to each other.

The invention will now be described by way of the following non-limitingexample only. In the description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. Theseembodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a frame according to an exampleembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B include front plan view and bottom side views ofembodiments of clips for use with the frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional and an end view, respectively ofthe frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a side plan view of an alternative embodiment ofthe clip of FIG. 3A and a top plan view of the same with adjacent framesin accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a picture frame system 10.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 there is shown in detail the construction of one ofthe picture frames 10. As can be seen the picture frame 10 is generallyrectangular in outline and is of a one piece rigid construction,preferably molded of a stiff plastic material such as a polystyreneplastic material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame10 is sized for use with 6 inch by 4 inch photographic prints.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 includes a front wall 18 having anopening 14 therein to expose a picture mounted within the frame 10 andheld in by clips or a backing surface (not shown). The frame 10 hassubstantially planar side walls 16 along the periphery of the front wall18. In one embodiment, the planar side walls 16 extend rearward atapproximately right angles from the front wall 18. A stop or ledge,visible from the rear of the frame 10, is illustrated by hidden line 13.The stop is arranged to hold a photographic print (not shown). Aphotographic print can be inserted from the rear of the frame 10 viaopening 14.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the frame 10 shown in FIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the frame 10 further includes a rear wall 19 into which a numberof recesses 20 are provided for receiving connection means, in the formof clips 22 (not shown), for securing adjacent frames 10 together.

Two recesses 20 are provided along each side wall 16 of the frame 10 sothat the frame 10 shown in the figures has 8 such recesses. The recesses20 have a fish tail portion 24 and a laterally directed opening 26 whichis narrower than the fish tail portion and extends through the side wall16 to receive a corresponding clip 22. The depth of the recesses 20 areabout half the thickness of the frame portion into which the recess 20is made. Recesses 20 having a respective depth significantly greaterthan half the thickness of the frame 10 may result in relatively weakand undesirable connections.

FIGS. 3A and 3B include front plan view and bottom side views ofembodiments of clips 22 for use with the frame of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Theclips 22 have a fish tail portion 28 complementary to the fish tailportion 24 of the recesses 20 so that when the clip 22 engages therecess 20 it is retained in the recess against lateral motion andremoval due to such lateral motion. In one embodiment, the clip 22includes a pair of opposed fish tail like end portions 28 for engagingrecesses 20 of adjacent frames 10.

In an alternative embodiment, the clip 22′ includes a fish tail endportion 28 and an opposing hanging portion 30. The hanging portion 30has an aperture 32 for receiving a screw or a nail for attaching theclip 22′ to a wall, a door or the like. Alternatively, the aperture 32permits the clip 22′ to engage a hook for securing the frame 10, towhich the clip 22′ has been attached, to a wall or the like.

The clips 22 include a bridge portion 34 extending between the endportions 28. The length, L, of the bridge portion 34 and the distancebetween a side wall 16 of the frame 10 and the fish tail like end 24being selected to determine the spacing between adjacent frames 10 to besecured to each other by the clips 22.

In one embodiment, the length of the bridge portion 34 of the clip 22and the distance between a side wall 16 of the frame 10 and the fishtail like end 24 of the recess 20 are selected so that adjacent frames10 are secured contiguously.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional and an end view, respectively ofthe frame 10 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. More specifically, FIG. 4A is across-sectional view in the direction of line A-A of FIG. 2. Frame 10has a front wall 18, a rear wall 19, and opposing side walls 16. A stopor ledge 12 prevents a photographic print or similar subject matter (notshown) from passing through the opening 14 of the frame 10. FIG. 4B is aside view of the frame 10 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4B, tworecesses 20 extend laterally through side wall 16. The depth of each ofthe recesses 20 is approximately half the thickness of the frame 10. Inalternative embodiments (not shown) the depth of recesses 20 is lessthan half of the thickness of the frame 10. Hidden lines in the end viewof FIG. 4B correspond to surfaces within respective fish tail likeportions 24 of the recesses 20.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show side plan and top plan views of an alternativeembodiment of the clip of FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 5A, the clip 22″ hasa bridge portion 34 and opposing fish tail like end portions 28. Thefish tail like end portions 28 are arranged to closely engagecorresponding fish tail like portions 24 of the recesses 20 on the rearside of the frame 10. As further shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the clips 22″have a bridge portion 34 which includes an inflection line 36 aboutwhich the fish tail like end portions 28 are angled relative to eachother. The angle of inflection 38 may be selected such that adjacentframes 10 are secured in such a manner that the secured frames are selfsupporting on a surface which they are positioned.

In each of the embodiments, the clip 22 is sized to snugly fit into acorresponding portion of recess 20. The thickness of the clip 22 isabout the same as the depth of the recesses 20 into which the clip 22 isto be inserted. It should be understood that the clip 22 is not solimited and may in fact be significantly thinner or thicker than thedepth of the recess 20 within frame 10.

The recesses 20 in the sidewalls 16 of the frames 10 and the clips 22may combine to produce a snap-on type action as the clips 22 areinserted into the recesses 20, resulting in a very secure bond betweenthe two frames that are being joined together.

Only one clip as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B or FIGS. 5A, 5B is needed toattach two frames 10 to each other. Also, it should be noted that byusing both types of clips (i.e., clip 22 and clip 22″) it is possible toput together assemblies that are combinations of planar arrays andangular arrays. Replacing one or more of the clips 22 or the clips 22″with a clip 22′ provides a mechanism for attaching the picture framesystem to a substantially vertical surface such as a wall or a dooroutfitted with a hook, a nail, a screw, etc.

The embodiments of the present invention are intended to be merelyexemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerousvariations and modifications to the picture frame system withoutdeparting from the spirit of the same. All such variations andmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A picture frame system, comprising: one or more frames provided withone or more rearward directed recesses having a laterally directedopening, which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame,said recesses configured for receiving a connection means, and saidlaterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of therecess remote the lateral opening; and one or more connection meanssized complementary to one or more of the recesses and which cooperatewith the recesses to secure adjacent frames together.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more recess comprises a fish tail portionremote the laterally directed opening.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereintwo recesses are provided along any edge of a single frame.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a hangingportion having an aperture for receiving a screw or a nail, or anadhesive for securing the frame to which the connection means has beenattached to a wall or the like.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theconnection means includes a pair of opposed identical end portions forengaging with recesses of adjacent frames.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the connection means includes a bridge portion extending betweenthe end portions, the length of the bridge portion being selected todetermine the spacing between adjacent frames to be secured to eachother by the connection means.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thelength of the bridge portion is selected so that adjacent frames aresecured contiguously.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the bridgeportion includes an inflection point about which the end portions areangled relative to each other.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein theangle of inflection is selected such that adjacent frames are secured insuch a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surfaceon which they are positioned.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein thedepth of the recesses are about half the thickness of the frame portioninto which the recess is made.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein thethickness of the connection means is about the same as the depth of therecesses into which the connection means is to be inserted.
 12. A kitfor a picture frame system, comprising: one or more frames provided withone or more rearward directed recesses having a laterally directedopening, which recesses are not visible from the front of the frame,said recesses configured for receiving a connection means, and saidlaterally directed opening being narrower than another portion of therecess remote the lateral opening; and one or more connection meanssized complementary to one or more of the recesses and which cooperatewith the recesses to secure adjacent frames together, wherein the one ormore frames and one or more connection means are supplied in adisassembled state.
 13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the connectionmeans comprises a clip having opposed fish tail like end portions abouta bridge portion, the clip for connecting adjacent picture frames havinga respective recess for receiving a respective fish tail like endportion of the clip, wherein the length of the bridge portion isselected to determine the spacing between the adjacent picture frames.14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the bridge portion comprises aninflection point about which the opposed fish tail like end portions areangled relative to each other.
 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein theangle of inflection is selected such that adjacent frames are secured insuch a manner that the secured frames are self supporting on a surfaceon which they are positioned.
 16. The kit of claim 13, wherein the depthof the recesses are about half the thickness of the frame into which therecess is made.
 17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the thickness of theconnection means is about the same as the depth of the recesses intowhich the connection means is to be inserted.
 18. A photo displaysystem, comprising: a set of frames, each member of the set having afront wall with an opening therein to expose a respective photograph andside walls adjacent to and extending rearward from the front wall,recesses provided in the side walls; and complementary connection meansfor securing adjacent members of the set in a desired relation to theother, wherein the recesses and the connection means are configured withcomplementary fish tail like portions.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the connection means comprises opposed fish tail like endportions about a bridge portion, the frames having a respective recessfor receiving a respective fish tail like end portion of the clip,wherein the length of the bridge portion determines any spacing betweenadjacent picture frames.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the bridgeportion comprises an inflection point about which the opposed fish taillike end portions are angled relative to each other.